Red, White and Blue Weddings: Red Like Crimson, White as Snow, Out of the Blue by Janice Thompson
As soon as the doors opened and Julie—radiant in white satin—walked in on her father’s arm, Chris’s attention shifted to Stephen. What does it feel like, to watch the woman you love walking up the aisle? Is your heart so full you can hardly stand it? Are you a nervous wreck?
The bride literally glowed with joy as she approached and took Stephen’s hand. Together, they entered the altar area. Chris felt the sting of tears as he turned with the others to face the minister. Just as he did, however, something at the back of the room caught his eye. Someone—rather, a couple of someones—slipped in the back door unnoticed. Unnoticed by anyone other than himself, anyway.
Right away, his heart soared. They’re here. My daughter and my. . .
“We’ve come here this day to unite this man and this woman in holy matrimony.” The minister’s words rang out across the sanctuary, creating a near hollow sound against the marble floor and the wooden pews. “Marriage is an honorable estate, and not to be entered into lightly. . . .” He continued on with his opening remarks, but Chris found it difficult to focus, at least on Stephen and Julie. No, he saw himself standing in their spot. With Adrianne at his side.
❧
“Mom, look!” Adrianne glanced over at Lorelei and shushed her. “But, Mom”—Lorelei pointed at the flower girl, a pretty little thing with blonde ringlets and a beautiful white dress— “I’ve never been a flower girl.”
Right away, Adrianne’s finger went to her lips. “We have to be quiet,” she whispered. “We can talk about it afterward.” She tried to focus on the ceremony, but found her gaze shifting to Chris. He looked remarkable in his black tuxedo. Breathtaking, actually.
Don’t do that. Pay attention.
The wedding couple exchanged vows, hand in hand, love pouring from their eyes.
What would it feel like, to stand up there? What would she be thinking. . .doing?
Her gaze shifted to the large columns to her right and left, then lifted to the carved balconies on the second floor. The chandelier overhead cast a warm glow on the room, reminding her of days gone by. Though not as ornate as some of the other churches in the historic district, this one still captivated her more than any of the others. Probably because Ben Franklin had attended church here. Perhaps sitting in this very pew. Just the idea of it put goose bumps on her arms. How is it that I can be so intrigued with someone from history? Because he changed lives. He left a legacy. Yes, he and the other founding fathers had certainly left a legacy.
And that’s exactly what she wanted to do, too.
Familiar words from the minister directed her attention back up to the front of the sanctuary. “You may now kiss the bride.”
Lorelei’s eyes grew large as Stephen and Julie kissed. “You’re going to get married someday, too, Mom. And you’ll get kissed, don’t worry.” Her forced whisper was a little too loud, catching the attention of the elderly lady who sat in front of them. The somewhat matronly looking woman turned with a scolding look on her face.
Adrianne mouthed I’m sorry, then turned her attention back to the minister’s closing remarks, hoping Lorelei would keep her thoughts to herself.
No such luck.
“Look, Mom!” Her daughter pointed at Chris as he made his way down the aisle, along with others in the wedding party. “I see Chris.”
“Yes.” Adrianne couldn’t hide her smile.
“He looks handsome, just like Prince Charming. See, I told you!”
“Lorelei,” Adrianne whispered the words, but let her eyes do the begging, “please don’t. Please.”
Thankfully, the joyous strains of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” theme drowned out the youngster’s voice.
Almost.
Lorelei’s jovial attitude quickly faded as she noticed the pretty bridesmaid on Chris’s arm. She turned to face her mother, pain registering in her eyes. “Is that his girlfriend?”
“Please—lower—your—voice.” Adrianne mouthed the words—slowly, succinctly.
Lorelei seemed to pay her no mind at all. Instead, she took advantage of his nearness to give him a little wave.
Adrianne buried her head in her hands and wondered if she would ever get over the embarrassment of this afternoon as long as she lived.
She lifted her gaze just as Prince Charming walked by, tuxedo shimmering under the chandelier overhead.
Chris nodded their way and even gave Lorelei a wink. Then he turned his gaze to Adrianne. The love that showed in his eyes nearly caused her to stop breathing altogether, and for a moment—just a moment—she contemplated tossing a glass slipper his way.
TWELVE
“What are you doing, Mom?”
Adrianne dug around in her purse for pennies, finally
capturing a few. “Come with me,” she said, taking Lorelei by the hand. “I have something to show you.”
Together, they sneaked by the wedding party at the front of Christ Church and walked around to the old burial ground nearby.
“A cemetery?” Lorelei’s eyes widened. “I don’t want to go in there.”
“Don’t worry, we’re not.” Adrianne handed her the pennies, then pointed out one of the large, flat gravesites several yards away. “That’s where Ben Franklin is buried, that gravestone right there.”
“Ooh.” A sound of admiration rose from her daughter’s lips. “Why are there pennies all over it?”
“Well,” Adrianne explained, “Ben always had a saying, ‘A penny saved is a penny earned.’ He’s remembered for witty things like that. So tourists come by here and toss pennies. It’s a tradition. People have been doing it for hundreds of years. And I thought you might like to try. But you have to do it from outside the fence.”
“Cool.” Lorelei took aim, then tossed the first penny. It missed by about three feet. She turned back to her mother with a pout.
“Try the other one.”
The youngster tried again. This time, the penny came within inches. “Do you have more, Mom?”
Adrianne reached inside her purse once again. “I don’t think so. But you were close, anyway.”
“I have a penny.”
They turned quickly as Chris’s voice seemed to sweep over them from behind. He stood closer than her own breath, his brilliant green eyes dancing in the afternoon sunlight.
“I. . .I thought you were busy having photos done,” she explained. “And I wanted to show Lorelei something from our history.” Something from our history. Hmm. Probably should have worded that differently.
He held up a copper penny between his thumb and forefinger and smiled. “Want to include me?”
His words caused her hands to tremble. Yes, she wanted to include him. In her life. In her daughter’s life. In her decisions, her hopes, her dreams, her future. Everything.
Lorelei reached up to snatch the penny from his hand. “Can I try again?” she asked.
“You may.”
This time she tossed the coin and it landed in the center of the gravestone. “I did it!” She jumped up and down, excitement oozing from every pore.
“You did it.” Adrianne and Chris spoke in unison, then turned in laughter, suddenly finding themselves face-to-face.
Adrianne felt his breath warm on her cheek, and for a moment thought of pulling away. But something inside her wouldn’t allow it. Instead, she remained still as he leaned in close. Her eyes closed instinctively. She remembered the taste of his lips against hers. Eight years might have passed, but some things would never be forgotten.
“Chris, are you ready to go?” Stephen’s voice rang out from around the corner, and Adrianne’s heart leaped into her throat as Chris pulled away quite suddenly.
“Mom?” Lorelei grabbed her hand and stared up, eyes blazing with laughter. “See, I told you.”
“Told you what?” Chris asked, his cheeks flushed pink.
“I told you he would kiss you.”
Adrianne looked up in embarrassment, only to find Chris’s beautiful green eyes riveted on hers. She did her best to
Chris gave her a look that voiced his opinion on the matter. She could read the “I did” in his expression.
As if in response, Lorelei grabbed their hands and pressed them together. Then, with a smile on her face, she led the way to the front of the church to meet the others.
❧
Chris’s heart sang all the way to the wedding reception. He had seen the look in Adrianne’s eyes. She still loved him, in spite of everything. And he loved her, too. With every fiber of his being.
And Lorelei. . .
He couldn’t help but wonder at the youngster’s tenacity—or her matchmaking skills. Clearly, she wanted to see the two of them together.
For obvious reason, he chided himself. Of course she wants to see us together. She’s been without a father all of her life.
He pushed aside the feelings of guilt that suddenly rose to the surface and focused on the activities ahead. Any moment now, he would arrive with the rest of the bridal party at the reception hall, where they would make a grand entrance. Hopefully, Adrianne and Lorelei would stay for a while, until his duties as best man had ended. He had so much to say to her, so much to share.
Within moments, Chris and the others entered the lavish Ballroom at the Ben—and found the room filled with cheering wedding guests. The music started right away and the bride and groom headed off to the dance floor for their first dance as a married couple.
Chris stood off to the side, scoping out the room. Ah. There they are. Adrianne and Lorelei—his girls—sat at a table nearby. They smiled his way, and Lorelei waved in excitement. He made his way through the crowd toward them.
“This place is great, don’t you think?” Adrianne gestured around the room.
For some reason, he couldn’t focus on the room, only her rich brown eyes as they danced in excitement.
“Beautiful,” he said with a hint of a smile rising to his lips.
“Those chandeliers are absolutely exquisite.”
“Exquisite,” he echoed, still paying no attention whatsoever to the room.
“And the gold trim on those archways is unbelievable.”
“Unbelievable.”
Adrianne looked Chris’s way and caught his meaning. Her face reddened. A feeling of warmth rushed over him, and he wanted to sweep her into his arms again. Instead, Lorelei caught his attention, pointing at the couple on the dance floor.
“She looks like Cinderella, Mom.”
“Yes, she does.” Adrianne nodded. “And look who she’s dancing with—Prince Charming.”
“No she’s not.” Lorelei looked up at Chris with a shy face, and he tried to decipher her meaning.
Just then, the music ended and the deejay announced the opening of the buffet line. Lorelei tipped her face upward and grinned. “Food, Mom!”
Adrianne seemed to snap out of her somewhat dreamy state, looking over at Chris with a more practical look on her face. “I—I don’t want to keep you from your friends. We’ll just sit over here. . .”
Chris let out a sigh. “I guess I do need to sit at the head table with the wedding party. I’m still officially on the clock.”
“Always a groomsman. . .” Adrianne started, then slapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh, I’m so sorry. That was totally inappropriate.”
“Nah.” He grinned. “I’m used to it.”
Always a groomsman. But maybe not for long.
The rest of the evening played out just as he’d hoped it would. Though dedicated to his best friend, he managed to snatch some well-deserved moments with Adrianne and Lorelei. And at one point, well after offering the toast, he even managed to ask her to dance. Lorelei, not Adrianne.
The youngster’s face lit with excitement as she took him by the hand and they walked to the dance floor together.
As Chris circled around with his daughter’s hand clutched in his, tears came. He couldn’t control them. This was his first father-daughter dance. But it wouldn’t be his last.
Through the tears, he glanced over at Adrianne, who sat alone at the table, eyes glistening.
When I’m done, Adrianne Russo, he vowed, you’re next. And this time, I’m not going to let you get away.
THIRTEEN
Adrianne looked up as Lorelei’s happy-go-lucky voice rang out above the crowd of people in the fellowship hall.
“I’m going to kids’ church, Mom!”
Adrianne turned her attention away from Mrs. Norris, one of the members of her church, to focus on her daughter. She turned back to the older woman with a smile. “Excuse me. Looks like I’m needed.”
She finally caught up with her daughter. Taking her by the arm, she asked, “Hey, what’s your hurry?”
“I don’t want them to start without me.”
Adrianne glanced at her watch: 9:15. “Yikes. I didn’t know it was this late.” Seemed like the whole morning had been a bit “off,” what with getting so little sleep last night. Then again, who could sleep, with the crystal-clear memory of Chris wrapping her in his arms for a turn around the dance floor?
“Mom, are you coming?” Lorelei’s voice jarred Adrianne back to the present. Together, they made their way through the throng of people to the children’s church room. All along the way, familiar faces greeted her. When they arrived, Adrianne stopped for a short chat with Jacquie Norris, director of the children’s ministry.
“Are you ready for tonight?” she asked.
Jacquie nodded, but her expression carried a bit of concern. “Pretty much. Some of the kids haven’t memorized their lines yet, and Phillip Johnson has strep throat, but you know what they say. . .”
“The show must go on.” The two women spoke in unison.
Adrianne couldn’t help but laugh. “So, tell me.” She lowered her voice a bit. “How do you think Lorelei is doing? She’s been practicing every day.”
“Oh, Adrianne.” Jacquie’s voice lit up. “That girl of yours is amazing. Of course, she has a voice like an angel. I’ve told you that before. But there’s something more to it than that. When Lorelei sings. . .” Jacquie shook her head, apparently trying to find the right words, “When Lorelei sings, there’s an anointing on her. You can feel the presence of God.”
Goose bumps rippled down Adrianne’s arms as she nodded in response. “I’m her mom,” she acknowledged, “so I thought it was just me—thought I was just reading too much into it.”
Jacquie’s smiled broadened. “No, you’re not reading too much into it. That girl was born to sing. And I’m so glad to have her in our church. Not just because she’s talented, Adrianne.” Her voice took on a more serious tone. “But because she’s a good girl. Genuine. Her walk with the Lord is evident. And it’s so pure.”
Adrianne brushed back the tears as she turned to leave the room. Lord, I praise you. This little girl is truly as pure as the driven snow. She’s such a blessing to me, such a joy. What would I have done without her?
She shifted her thoughts as she headed into the sanctuary. Her parents would be waiting. Probably in the fourth row on the left, as usual. Yep. There they were.
“G’morning, baby. How are you?” Her mother reached over to wrap her in a warm embrace.
Adrianne knew that, no matter how long she lived, she would always be referred to as her mother’s baby. She also knew that she loved the reference, for it implied innocence. Purity.
There’s that word again.
Snapping back to her senses, Adrianne answered her mother’s question. “I’m great. Lorelei and I went to the wedding yesterday.”
“Tell me all about it.” Her mom ushered her to a seat and Adrianne quickly relayed the whole story—everything from the beautiful ceremony, to the dance she and Chris had shared at the end of the night.
Her father listened in without saying a word, but she observed the look in his eye when she reached the part of the story where Chris had swept Lorelei i
“He’s a good man, Adrianne.” Her dad gave a nod. “But I think you already knew that.”
“Yes.”
Chris Bradley had always been a good man—a man after God’s own heart. Yes, he had made mistakes. They both had. But God had restored them, and that meant the past was truly in the past.
The worship team began to play a familiar praise and worship song, and the congregation stood. As Adrianne sang, her heart soared. Lord, You’re so good to me. A few moments later, the familiar strains of a slower worship song began, a song Adrianne had always loved. She sensed God’s overwhelming presence, and closed her eyes, ready to let Him minister to her in any way He pleased.
“See, child. Do you see how much I love you?”
The tears came at once. She didn’t even bother to wipe them away.
“ ‘Though your sins are like scarlet. . . ,’ ” she whispered.
“I’ve erased those sins, My daughter. I’ve forgiven and forgotten, as far as the east is from the west.”
“ ‘Though they are red like crimson. . .’”
“The only crimson I see is the precious blood of My Son, who takes away the sins of the world.”
Adrianne drew in a deep breath and brushed the tears away.
“Adrianne?” Her father leaned over with a soft whisper, concern registering in his eyes. “Everything okay?”
She took him by the hand and mouthed the words Yes. Very okay.
He gave her fingers a little squeeze, then leaned over to plant a kiss on her forehead. In that moment, a thousand feelings washed over her at once. Poor Lorelei had never known the love of a father’s kiss pressed upon her brow. She’d never experienced the comfort of a gentle squeeze of a hand, or the wink of an eye.
Thank You, God, for my father. Thank You for giving me such an idyllic family life. I don’t know what I’ve ever done to deserve it. . .to deserve him.